{"id":35014,"date":"2020-12-25T00:02:05","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T05:02:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35014"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:54","slug":"the-remarkable-tin-soldier-by-mcfair_58","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35014","title":{"rendered":"The Remarkable Tin Soldier (by McFair_58)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bonanza
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
\n* Day 2\u00a0*<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Summary:\u00a0 Remembrance of Christmas Past<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a07,950 words<\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Remarkable Tin Soldier<\/strong><\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Chapter One – 1861<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u00a0\u00a0Hey, Little Joe!\u00a0\u00a0Pa and Adam are waitin\u2019 in the surrey.\u00a0\u00a0You sure you don\u2019t want to come?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nineteen-year-old Little Joe Cartwright was sitting on his bed, his head resting on his pillow and his legs stretched out before him.\u00a0\u00a0He was\u00a0sure<\/i>\u00a0he didn\u2019t want to come.\u00a0\u00a0In fact, the last thing he wanted to do tonight was go out into the cold.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d been sick for a week and felt like someone had taken a hammer to his head \u2013 well, to\u00a0most<\/i> of him really.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d promised Emmy Lou Fletcher about a month before that he\u2019d meet her at the Christmas dance on the 23rd<\/sup>\u00a0and he knew she was going to be disappointed when he didn\u2019t show.\u00a0\u00a0He knew as well that she wouldn\u2019t have much fun with him in the mood he was in.<\/p>\n

Which was a bad one.<\/p>\n

His brother\u2019s beefy face appeared in the open door.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you, Hoss, go on without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou sure?\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re gonna be left all alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hop Sing had gone to visit one of his myriad cousins and most of the hands had gone home for the holidays.\u00a0\u00a0There was a skeleton crew left, but only one or two of the older men were anywhere near the house.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like you\u2019re going to be gone for a month,\u201d Joe snapped.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI think I can look out for myself for one night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, sour-puss.\u00a0\u00a0You just lay there and stew in your own juices.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0His big brother pointed a finger at him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd just in case you decide you want any other juices, don\u2019t you go eatin\u2019 all that Christmas roast beef before it\u2019s Christmas!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s stomach did a flip.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t have to worry about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

His brother frowned.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou sure you\u2019re okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

He started to snap again, but thought better of it.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s just this dang cold, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0I feel like I\u2019ve been put through Hop Sing\u2019s wringer and hung out to dry.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe pulled his covers up and turned over so his face was to the window.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou go and have a good time.\u00a0\u00a0Give my apologies to Emmy Lou.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Pa know you\u2019re this sick?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe rolled back over.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd you better not tell him!\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019ll cancel his plans and you know how he\u2019s been looking forward to tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss made a \u2018mm-mm\u2019 sound.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat Widow Begg\u00a0sure<\/i>\u00a0is a good lookin\u2019 gal!\u201d<\/p>\n

Catherine Begg was a little younger than Pa.\u00a0\u00a0She\u2019d been widowed around the age of forty and come to Virginia City a year or so later to live with a maiden aunt.\u00a0\u00a0She had hair the same chestnut color as his, only with silver in it, and a waist a man could circle with two hands.\u00a0\u00a0Kate, as she liked to be called, was beautiful and intelligent and pa was smitten with her.\u00a0\u00a0Most of the time that didn\u2019t bother him at all.<\/p>\n

For some reason, tonight it did.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, she sure is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u00a0\u00a0Are you coming?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

It was brother Adam calling from downstairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou better go,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u00a0\u00a0If you\u2019re sure \u2013\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure.\u00a0\u00a0Get going you big galoot!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOn my way, Adam!\u201d Hoss called back.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow, you take care, little brother.\u00a0\u00a0Don\u2019t you go takin\u2019 no chances!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike what?\u00a0\u00a0Getting out of bed?\u00a0\u00a0Or maybe going downstairs and fixing myself a sandwich?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe pulled the pillow out from under his head and threw it.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGet out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed all the way to the buggy.<\/p>\n

Within a minute, Joe regretted throwing the pillow.\u00a0\u00a0He groaned as he eased his way off the bed and went to fetch it.\u00a0\u00a0Doc Martin had been out twice to check on him and said he had a mild case of the \u2018ague\u2019, whatever that was.\u00a0\u00a0It wasn\u2019t influenza or a cold exactly,\u00a0\u00a0and apparently wasn\u2019t infectious since no one else had come down with it.\u00a0\u00a0Still, he\u2019d chosen to stay away from pretty much everyone and spent most of the last seven days in his room.<\/p>\n

Matter of fact, he was just plain\u00a0sick\u00a0<\/i>of this room and there wasn\u2019t any reason to stay in it now that everyone else was gone.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been headed back to bed.\u00a0\u00a0Joe tossed the pillow on it instead and reached for his robe.\u00a0\u00a0One thing he couldn\u2019t seem to get was warm enough, so stoking the fire in the big hearth downstairs and sitting beside it sure sounded like a good idea.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe he\u2019d even sleep down there since no one would know.<\/p>\n

Since\u00a0Pa\u00a0<\/i>wouldn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s footsteps echoed as he crossed the great room and headed for the wood-box.\u00a0\u00a0The Ponderosa was a big house and never seemed bigger than when everyone was away.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t realized it until one day when he and Adam were talking, but it seemed he was hardly ever alone.\u00a0\u00a0Since he was only nineteen, one of his brothers or his pa were most always with him and, even when they weren\u2019t, he knew they were only a holler away.\u00a0\u00a0From the time he\u2019d been born he\u2019d had company.\u00a0\u00a0He liked it most of the time, though there were those moments when he craved a little space.\u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s gaze traveled from the dining room to the hearth, to the stair and Pa\u2019s office, past the front door, and then back to the hearth.\u00a0\u00a0So you\u2019d think he\u2019d be happy right now.\u00a0\u00a0It was just him, in the house, alone, with no brothers to tease him about being the youngest or pa to tell him what to do.\u00a0\u00a0He was in charge.<\/p>\n

And he was miserable.<\/p>\n

Joe sniffed and ran a finger under his nose.\u00a0\u00a0It was because he was sick.\u00a0\u00a0That was it.\u00a0\u00a0Not because he was\u2026lonely.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d paused with his hand on the wood-box.\u00a0\u00a0He opened it now and took out a couple of logs and fed them to the fire.\u00a0\u00a0As they crackled and popped, he went to his father\u2019s office and pulled out one of the books he\u2019d been reading before he got sick.\u00a0\u00a0It was on Alexander the Great.\u00a0\u00a0With it in hand, he returned to the area of the hearth and sat down.\u00a0\u00a0The tall case clock struck five as he did.\u00a0\u00a0The dance was at eight, so Pa and his brothers would be pushing it to get there by the time it started.\u00a0\u00a0He knew Pa\u2019d had second thoughts about leaving him home alone.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d heard him and Adam arguing.\u00a0\u00a0Older brother won out in the end and he was glad he did.\u00a0\u00a0He needed time alone with his own thoughts.<\/p>\n

And the wind howling outside the windows.<\/p>\n

And the owls hooting in the trees.<\/p>\n

And the ticking of the clock.<\/p>\n

Tick.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0Tick.<\/p>\n

Tick.<\/i><\/p>\n

Ten minutes later Joe put his book down, jumped to his feet, and went to the front door.\u00a0\u00a0He opened it and looked out.\u00a0\u00a0In the time his family had been gone, dark clouds had moved in and the temperature had dropped.\u00a0\u00a0It was December 23rd<\/sup>, the night before the night before Christmas, and they were lucky the roads to town were even open.\u00a0\u00a0A sudden fear snaked through him.\u00a0\u00a0What if a great big old storm moved in and Pa and Adam and Hoss were trapped in Virginia City and couldn\u2019t get back?\u00a0\u00a0Maybe, ever?\u00a0\u00a0What would he do if he was left here \u2013 alone \u2013 for months?<\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing for sure,\u201d Joe groused as he turned back into the house, \u201cI\u2019d stop that damn clock.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tick.<\/p>\n

Tick.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0Tick.<\/p>\n

Joe tried reading again but couldn\u2019t keep his mind on the story.\u00a0\u00a0He tried playing a game of checkers \u2013 against himself \u2013 but he couldn\u2019t manage to lose.\u00a0\u00a0He wandered into his father\u2019s office and pulled out one of the account books and started adding up columns of figures, but when he sneezed and blurred the ink, he decided the effort wasn\u2019t worth the lecture he\u2019d get for being up and out of bed.\u00a0\u00a0After that he found himself in the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d hoped to while away some time rustling up grub.\u00a0\u00a0Of course, Pa had his supper laid out on the table with a note telling him not to forget to bank the fire and lock the door.\u00a0\u00a0He did have to heat up the soup\u00a0\u00a0That took ten minutes, and then he didn\u2019t have anything to do again.<\/p>\n

It was as he was staring at the note, written in his pa\u2019s strong hand, that Joe remembered something his father had mentioned a few days back.\u00a0\u00a0He left the kitchen and returned to the office.\u00a0\u00a0Sitting in Pa\u2019s chair again, he stared at the portrait of his mother the older man kept on the desk.\u00a0\u00a0It had been there for as long as he could remember.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2019d moved it around the room a few times, but it always came back to rest on the desk like it belonged there.<\/p>\n

Like Mama told Pa she belonged there!<\/p>\n

Joe smiled as he picked up the silver frame, but sobered quickly.\u00a0\u00a0His mama hadn\u2019t been all that much older than he was now when she died.\u00a0\u00a0Ten years at most.\u00a0\u00a0She\u2019d had a hard life before coming to Nevada and it showed in her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Her smile didn\u2019t quite reach them.\u00a0\u00a0Pa told him she\u2019d been happy here and that\u00a0he\u2019d<\/i>\u00a0been the biggest part of her happiness.\u00a0\u00a0He could barely remember her.\u00a0\u00a0She had certain smells \u2013 lavender and lilac, and vanilla, he thought.\u00a0\u00a0And he could remember the sound of her moving in and out of the room; of the stiff fabric of her skirts rustling like leaves in a winter wind.\u00a0\u00a0She liked flowers or, at least, he thought she did.\u00a0\u00a0He remembered all the rooms of the house being full of them.\u00a0\u00a0It had been different then, like all the sharp angles had been softer; rounder somehow.\u00a0\u00a0Pa\u2019d grown hard and sharp when Mama left them.<\/p>\n

He remembered that too.<\/p>\n

Joe looked to both sides, like he expected someone to have popped out of the woodwork, and then he gave her portrait a kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, Mama,\u201d he said as he sat it down.<\/p>\n

Then he headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n

The thing he\u2019d remembered was in his father\u2019s room.\u00a0\u00a0Joe felt kind of funny going in there without permission, but then the older man would never know.\u00a0\u00a0They\u2019d been talking the other day when his father told him he had a \u2018secret\u2019 in his closet.\u00a0\u00a0When he\u2019d asked what it was Pa\u2019d grown quiet, and then, with a smile, admitted he\u2019d kept Mama\u2019s jewelry casket.\u00a0\u00a0Pa said there were other things in there besides jewelry that had meant a lot to his mama.\u00a0\u00a0\u2018Momento mori\u2019<\/i>, he called them.\u00a0\u00a0He said they would be his when he got married.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d accepted that then, but later he got to thinking about it.\u00a0\u00a0Why couldn\u2019t he have them now?\u00a0\u00a0Why did he have to wait until he had a wife?<\/p>\n

What if he never\u00a0got<\/i>\u00a0married?<\/p>\n

He was outside the door to his father\u2019s room now.\u00a0\u00a0Joe screwed up his face and then laughed at his hesitation to open the door.\u00a0\u00a0What was it that stopped him?\u00a0\u00a0If he put everything back as it was, Pa would never know he\u2019d gone in.\u00a0\u00a0He supposed it had to do with the fact that he knew \u2013 as did his older brothers \u2013 that the older man had a direct line to the man upstairs and nothing got past him.<\/p>\n

Still, it was an itch that\u00a0had<\/i>\u00a0to be scratched.<\/p>\n

Joe tripped the latch and went in.<\/p>\n

The room was dark and ominously quiet.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d brought matches with him.\u00a0\u00a0The teenager lit the lamp on his father\u2019s bureau and then carried it with him over to the closet.\u00a0\u00a0When he opened the door, Joe breathed in deeply, inhaling the scent of leather and Bay Rum that was so much Ben Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d known that smell since he\u2019d been a kid and it had always meant safety and security.\u00a0\u00a0His pa had two closets.\u00a0\u00a0This was the one he kept his good clothes in.\u00a0\u00a0He figured his mama\u2019s casket would be in this one and not in the one with Pa\u2019s work clothes.\u00a0\u00a0It kind of surprised him at how many things the closet contained, including a few remnants of his childhood.\u00a0\u00a0Joe laughed as he pulled out an old skin horse on rockers.\u00a0\u00a0It was his first \u2018mount\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0He named the black skin-horse after his dark-haired brother, Adam, but couldn\u2019t pronounce it, so he called him \u2018Dam\u2019 instead.\u00a0\u00a0Dam had been stabled in front of a stack of boxes.\u00a0\u00a0Most were fairly small and made of cardboard or wood, but there was one that stood out as different.\u00a0\u00a0It was at least fifteen inches long and almost a foot wide and was made of metal.\u00a0\u00a0Joe picked it up and went to the window where he could see it better.\u00a0\u00a0At first the teenager thought it was black and gold, but it wasn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0The inner panels were a rich cobalt-blue enamel, decorated with gilt flowers.\u00a0\u00a0The edges of the box were gilt-ormolu like the mirrors at the International Hotel.\u00a0\u00a0It shone softly in the moonlight.\u00a0\u00a0Joe placed his hand reverently on the lid, thinking of the other hands that had touched it.\u00a0\u00a0Then he ran a finger along the front.\u00a0\u00a0He stopped when he encountered a key hole.<\/p>\n

Dang it!\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t considered that it might be locked!<\/p>\n

\u201cMama,\u201d Joe breathed. \u201cWhat do I do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Almost immediately an idea formed in his mind.\u00a0\u00a0The teenager laughed and then turned the casket upside-down.\u00a0\u00a0The key was fastened underneath.<\/p>\n

Taking it in hand, Joe placed the key in the lock and then hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it okay, Mama?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The wind outside seemed to rise in reply.<\/p>\n

\u2018Oui, mon petit\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n

Joe took the casket and sat it on the floor before opening it.\u00a0\u00a0Dozens of sparking eyes winked at him from its darkened interior when he did \u2013 diamond white, silver and gold.\u00a0\u00a0He lifted the strands of pearls and other jewels out to examine them, and was awed by their beauty and by the love of the man who had bought them for his New Orleans bride.\u00a0\u00a0Joe laid each aside after gazing at it and continued to dig.\u00a0\u00a0Pa said there should be other things here.\u00a0\u00a0Ones that held special meaning for his mother.\u00a0\u00a0Other than the jewels, he\u2019d found some dried roses, but that was it.\u00a0\u00a0A few minutes later, he leaned back and let out a disappointed sigh.<\/p>\n

This time it wasn\u2019t the wind that gave Joe his answer, but an argent moonbeam falling through the window.<\/p>\n

It struck the box in such a way that he noticed an irregularity.\u00a0\u00a0Joe picked the box up and turned it so it was fully illuminated.\u00a0\u00a0Yep!\u00a0\u00a0It was deeper on the outside than the inside.\u00a0\u00a0He poked around the interior with a finger and unexpectedly tripped a hidden latch.\u00a0\u00a0A second later the false bottom was out and he\u2019d found the treasure he was seeking.\u00a0\u00a0Most of the items were the kind of thing a doting mother would treasure.\u00a0\u00a0There were several locks of curly blond baby hair bound in ribbons, a small pair of – Lord help him! – lace booties, and a couple of teeth!\u00a0\u00a0He found at least a dozen notes.\u00a0\u00a0Most of them were from Hoss but a few had obviously been scrawled by a southpaw.\u00a0\u00a0One thing that really struck him was a portrait contained in a locket of his mother as a child.\u00a0\u00a0He knew it was her because it looked like him as a girl.<\/p>\n

Joe thought the casket was empty when he realized there was one last item.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d thought he was done since the bottom was a dull gray.\u00a0\u00a0It puzzled him more than all the others.\u00a0\u00a0It was a cardboard container that held eleven brightly painted tin soldiers.\u00a0\u00a0One was missing.\u00a0\u00a0The narrow box bore the remnants of paper wrapping and contained a card.\u00a0\u00a0He recognized the handwriting as his mother\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u2018For mon petit Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0To celebrate his fifth Christmas.\u00a0\u00a0Mama.<\/i>\u2019<\/p>\n

Joe sat there, staring at the card; his heart hammering in his chest.\u00a0\u00a0His mother had died the spring\u00a0before\u00a0<\/i>he turned five.<\/p>\n

What\u00a0was<\/i>\u00a0this?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright blew in the door of his home along with the snow.\u00a0\u00a0A storm had come in overnight that threatened to keep them from reaching the ranch.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d recognized its advent when he rose to go to the water closet around three in the morning and had roused his sons.\u00a0\u00a0They set out immediately.\u00a0\u00a0There was no way of knowing how ferocious \u2013 or tenacious \u2013 a late December storm might prove, and he was bound and determined he would not leave his sick son home alone to fend for himself\u00a0\u00a0– or to celebrate Christmas by himself!\u00a0\u00a0Joseph might make noise about wanting to be left alone, but that\u2019s was all it was \u2013 noise.\u00a0\u00a0Like his late mother his youngest craved interaction with his family and feared, when he was away from them, that something terrible would happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s not asleep in front of the fire?\u201d Adam asked as he joined him.<\/p>\n

It was early morning \u2013 so early he doubted his under-the-weather boy was up yet.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe must be in his room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was here,\u201d his eldest said as he picked up a book that lay on the settee.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAlexander the Great, eh?\u00a0\u00a0Trying to bolster his courage perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow come you\u2019re always pickin\u2019 on Joe, Adam?\u201d Hoss asked as he too entered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the youngest.\u00a0\u00a0What else am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYeah, I suppose you\u2019re right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want me to go wake Joe up, Pa?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you two go get some breakfast,\u201d he replied as he removed his coat.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll go up and let Joe know we\u2019re home.\u201d<\/p>\n

A half hour later Ben headed up the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d hung up his coat and hat and checked the mail they\u2019d brought with them before doing so.\u00a0\u00a0By the time he left the great room his two oldest were sitting at the dining room table sipping coffee and eating pancakes.\u00a0\u00a0He was hungry too, but decided he\u2019d wait and eat with Joe when he came down.\u00a0\u00a0Ben was looking forward to seeing his youngest.\u00a0\u00a0He knew the night would not have been easy on the boy and was worried too that his son\u2019s illness might have worsened.\u00a0\u00a0It surprised the rancher a bit to find the door to the teenager\u2019s room standing wide open, but then he realized it might have made Joe feel less alone.\u00a0\u00a0Ben stepped inside with a \u2018good morning\u2019 greeting on his lips, only to have it die away when his gaze fell on an empty bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d he called.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment he remained where he was, simply staring.\u00a0\u00a0Then he turned on his heel and headed for the stair.\u00a0\u00a0As he did, Ben saw something out of the corner of his eye.\u00a0\u00a0At first it didn\u2019t register, but then it stopped him in his tracks.<\/p>\n

The door to\u00a0his<\/i>\u00a0room was open as well.<\/p>\n

Ben scratched his head as he moved across the hall.\u00a0\u00a0He paused outside the room and then, cautiously, stepped through.\u00a0\u00a0It took him a moment to notice that his closet door was open, and then he saw the long line of items leading away from it \u2013 a line that ended near the window with his late wife\u2019s elegant ormolu and enamel jewelry casket.\u00a0\u00a0Next to the casket lay his son.\u00a0\u00a0Joe must have pulled the cover off of the bed at some point and wrapped up in it.\u00a0\u00a0It was twisted about his slender frame leaving one foot, his curly head, and both hands exposed.\u00a0\u00a0For a moment, he felt angry.\u00a0\u00a0The boy knew better than to intrude upon his privacy!\u00a0\u00a0But then, as he noted the object in his son\u2019s left hand, Ben\u2019s anger evaporated.\u00a0\u00a0The sight of it took him back some fifteen years, to the spring of forty-six.\u00a0\u00a0He and his wife had argued that day.\u00a0\u00a0Marie packed her bags \u2013 not for the first time \u2013 and told him she was going back to New Orleans to live with her mother.\u00a0\u00a0He hadn\u2019t taken her seriously until she packed up Joseph as well and headed for the door.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes returned to the tin soldier his son clutched.<\/p>\n

Little did he or she know how important her choice of a Christmas gift would turn out to be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****<\/p>\n

Chapter two – 1846<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMarie!\u00a0\u00a0Come back here this instant!\u201d<\/p>\n

A stamped foot and a small huffing noise told Ben he was about to lose the battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI warned you,\u201d his wife said, her tone as icy as the wintry world outside.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOne\u00a0<\/i>more time, I said.\u00a0\u00a0One\u00a0<\/i>more time and I would go.\u00a0\u00a0And if I am anything, I am a woman of my word!\u201d<\/p>\n

She was a number of other things too, but he didn\u2019t think it prudent to mention any of them at the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I offended you.\u00a0\u00a0I really have no idea what I\u2019m supposed to have \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Marie\u2019s elegantly shoed foot stamped the hard wood floor again.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat<\/i>\u00a0is the problem!\u00a0You<\/i>\u00a0do not\u00a0<\/i>appreciate me, so I shall go somewhere where I\u00a0am<\/i>\u00a0appreciated!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where is that?\u201d<\/p>\n

She sputtered for a moment.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHome!\u00a0\u00a0I will take Joseph and go back to my\u00a0Maman<\/i>!\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie and her mother had a rocky, if not tempestuous relationship.\u00a0\u00a0In the five years they\u2019d been married, he\u2019d only heard his wife mention the elegant New Orleans\u2019 woman a few times \u2013 and it was usually at moments like this when she\u2019d decided he didn\u2019t treat her right.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s gaze dropped to the small boy who clung to his mama\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0Joseph looked like a jolly boat caught in a gale.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie\u2026darling<\/i>\u2026I\u2019m sure we can sort this out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNon!<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0I am done!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is always something other than me and your son!\u00a0\u00a0An emergency at the timber camp.\u00a0\u00a0A cattle stampede!\u00a0\u00a0Men that must be instructed.\u00a0\u00a0Supplies that have to be laid in today.\u00a0\u00a0Fences fixed!\u00a0\u00a0Line shacks repaired!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Tears streamed down her cheeks, which were high with color.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou are gone for days \u2013 weeks! \u2013 at a time and when you come home, do you talk to me or play with your son?\u00a0\u00a0Non!<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0You fall asleep!\u201d<\/p>\n

He winced at the accuracy of her accusations.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMy love, you have to understand.\u00a0\u00a0We have a large spread.\u00a0\u00a0There are needs \u2013 \u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe?\u00a0\u00a0It is not \u2018we\u2019, but you!\u00a0\u00a0And what about\u00a0my<\/i>\u00a0needs?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Marie clutched Joseph\u2019s hand more tightly.\u00a0\u00a0Her voice choked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat about your\u2026son\u2019s?\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0I doubt\u00a0Petit Joseph<\/i>\u00a0even knows he\u00a0has<\/i>\u00a0a papa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a papa,\u00a0Maman<\/i>,\u201d Little Joe said in his tiny voice.\u00a0\u00a0He pointed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019s right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben hid his smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cHush!\u201d Marie snapped and then relented as the little boy\u2019s lip began to tremble and a tear trailed down his cheek.\u00a0\u00a0She picked him up and cooed in his ear.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHush, my angel.\u00a0\u00a0Rest your head on my shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0Mama is sorry she yelled.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two of them had their coats on and were standing by the door.\u00a0\u00a0It was partially open.\u00a0\u00a0A cold breeze wafted in, chilling him.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie, please, close the door and come back into the room.\u00a0\u00a0We need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

His wife shook her head, proving once again that she was nothing if not determined.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNon<\/i>.\u00a0\u00a0I am going into the settlement.\u00a0\u00a0Perhaps if I am not here,\u00a0then\u00a0<\/i>you will notice me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere will you be staying?\u201d he asked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAt least tell me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will send word back with William.\u201d<\/p>\n

William was one of their ranch hands.\u00a0\u00a0The poor man had been pressed into service by his irate wife.\u00a0\u00a0When he\u2019d looked out the door and seen him waiting in the rig, the cowboy had looked like he\u2019d rather have been\u00a0anywhere<\/i>\u00a0else.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u00a0me<\/i>\u00a0take you in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>If I am to be an independent women, let it begin now.\u201d<\/p>\n

His youngest son was looking at him through the fringe of curls that perpetually dangled on his forehead.\u00a0\u00a0Joseph had his thumb in his mouth and was blinking, as if the need for sleep had begun to outweigh his need to understand this sudden war between his parents.<\/p>\n

\u201cPromise me you will stay put \u2013 wherever you end up,\u201d Ben pleaded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThis isn\u2019t the time of year to begin a journey.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0It was early spring and, though the snows had passed, the melt-off was just beginning.\u00a0\u00a0The road could prove treacherous.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou don\u2019t want to put the child in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was hitting below the belt and he knew it.<\/p>\n

His beautiful wife scowled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSince you have broken your promise to me, I see no reason why\u00a0I\u00a0<\/i>should make one to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben bit back a sigh.\u00a0\u00a0She was in a\u00a0rare\u00a0<\/i>mood.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what\u2019s goin\u2019 on?\u00a0\u00a0Where\u2019re Ma and Little Joe goin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

They both turned at the sound of their middle son\u2019s voice.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss was nine, but he was the size of a robust twelve-year-old.\u00a0\u00a0It was hard to remember that his appearance belied the child\u2019s heart that beat within his breast.<\/p>\n

\u201cMama is going to the settlement,\u201d Marie announced before he could say anything.<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 gaze went to the window.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAin\u2019t it a little late to head out?\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s gonna be dark before you get there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie frowned.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNevertheless, I must go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan I go with you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss turned to him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCan I Pa?\u00a0\u00a0I can help keep Ma and Joe safe on the ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben drew a breath and held it.\u00a0\u00a0He hated to chance putting\u00a0three<\/i>\u00a0members of his family at risk, but William would be going with them and the cowboy was completely trustworthy \u2013 as well as handy with a gun.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss going along might temper Marie\u2019s anger and convince her that she didn\u2019t\u00a0want<\/i>\u00a0to go if it meant leaving the boy behind.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that is a wonderful idea, son,\u201d Ben replied, putting his wife on the spot.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat do you think, my love?\u201d<\/p>\n

She was torn, he could tell.\u00a0\u00a0Marie loved Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0She was his mother.\u00a0\u00a0She was mother to Adam as well, but at sixteen, the boy had less need of her.\u00a0\u00a0If she left, Inger\u2019s boy would be devastated.<\/p>\n

Ben felt a bit like a heel, but it felt good.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not know\u2026\u201d she began.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaman<\/i>, I want Hossy to come.\u00a0\u00a0Can he come?\u201d Little Joe asked, perking up.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHim and me can have fun on the way.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s boring.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure we\u2019ll have fun, punkin!\u201d Hoss assured him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll go get my coat!\u201d<\/p>\n

As his middle boy ran up the stairs, Marie glared at him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat was not fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI beg to differ, my dear,\u201d he said with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAll is fair in love\u2026and war.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are Marie and Little Joe going this late?\u201d Adam asked as he walked up to the house, reins in hand.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d just ridden in, passing the rig containing the rest of the family on the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie thinks I\u2019m neglecting her,\u201d Ben said with a sigh.<\/p>\n

Adam tossed the reins over the rail and then looked at him.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s right, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, you\u2026.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0His son paused.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t think you see how wrapped up you get in things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of things?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike fixing that fence yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cattle would have run away!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, calm down.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam moved to the porch table and took a seat on the edge, resting one long leg on the chair butted up against it.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes, we have to keep the cattle fenced, but I could have handled it along with the men.\u00a0\u00a0You didn\u2019t need to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019re a\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0His son frowned.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cA child?\u00a0\u00a0Pa, I haven\u2019t been a child for a long time.\u00a0\u00a0Your<\/i>\u00a0dream made me into a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a slight hesitation before the word \u2018your\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was \u2018our\u2019 dream.\u201d<\/p>\n

His son nodded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt is, but Pa, you have to admit that this is the life\u00a0you<\/i>\u00a0chose.\u00a0\u00a0I just came along for the ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

He knew the boy had ambitions of his own \u2013 college for one.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d been saving, hoping to make that dream come true.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s not like you\u2019ve had to hog-tie me to keep me here.\u00a0\u00a0But you have to remember, Pa, Marie\u2019s dream is different too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben frowned.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t,\u201d he laughed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s amazing for a man who\u2019s been married to three women, how little you understand the sex.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He smiled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWould you care to enlighten me with wisdom from your vast experience?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy smiled too.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSure.\u00a0\u00a0Marie gave up everything she knew to come out West with you \u2013 city life, markets, theaters and shows.\u00a0\u00a0In a nutshell, civilization.\u00a0\u00a0You\u2019ve given her a beautiful home, Pa, with majestic trees and acres and acres of land, burgeoning with herds of cattle and dozens of horses, but to Marie, it\u2019s empty.\u00a0\u00a0Without you, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has Joseph,\u201d he said defensively.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut she came for\u00a0you<\/i>.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam rose and came to his side.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou are\u00a0her\u00a0<\/i>Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rancher considered it.\u00a0\u00a0Then he nodded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHow did you come to be so wise?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam placed a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI had a good teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wonder if your step-mother would agree?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy stepped back.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cShe will when she\u2019s had time to think about it \u2013 and after she\u2019s spent a day taking care of those two on her own without Hop Sing!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marie stood, hands on hips, staring at the rig.\u00a0\u00a0Glaring<\/i>\u00a0at it really, as if it could sense her mood.\u00a0\u00a0The black-fringed surrey was on one side of the road while its left back wheel was on the other.\u00a0\u00a0They\u2019d been\u00a0\u00a0two-thirds of the way to town when one of the horses spooked and darted to the side, taking the buggy wheel up and over a boulder.\u00a0\u00a0The linchpin that held the wheel in place broke as the animals struggled to right themselves.\u00a0\u00a0Then the tug stop snapped and the left-hand shaft split in two, freeing one of the horses who took off in a frenzy.<\/p>\n

Leaving them stranded.<\/p>\n

Night had fallen and it was growing cold.\u00a0\u00a0Fortunately, she\u2019d filled the rig with blankets and Hop Sing had insisted she bring along a kit that included food and a canteen of hot coffee.\u00a0\u00a0She\u2019d laughed as the little man handed them to her and reminded him that they were only traveling to the settlement.\u00a0\u00a0He had pinned her with his black eyes and said, \u2018A crafty rabbit has three burrows.\u2019\u00a0\u00a0She would have to remember to thank him.<\/p>\n

Even if it meant sending a note.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready, Ma\u2019am.\u00a0\u00a0Less you changed your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie turned to find her husband\u2019s ranch hand, William, behind her.\u00a0\u00a0He was a lovely man who had been with Ben for some years now, working first as a wrangler and then becoming manager of the horses.\u00a0\u00a0William was older than her, but younger than Ben.\u00a0\u00a0The cowboy was tall and lean as a street lamp.\u00a0\u00a0His hair was the color of honey; his eyes and brows brown as freshly turned earth.\u00a0\u00a0William was not a handsome man, but there was a goodness about him that\u00a0made\u00a0<\/i>him handsome.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have not,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

William scratched his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBeggin\u2019 your pardon, Mrs. Cartwright, but I\u2019m not real comfortable leaving you and the little ones out here by yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

They\u2019d decided he would ride into the settlement and bring back a wagon.<\/p>\n

She<\/i>\u00a0had decided.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0\u00a0It should take you no more than two hours.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Marie smiled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI believe I am capable of taking care of Hoss and Joseph that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your capability I\u2019m doubtin\u2019, Ma\u2019am.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s just, well, things can turn right quick out here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no way the three of us can ride one horse, William.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cStill,\u00a0you\u00a0<\/i>could take the babe and I could bring Hoss in later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie turned to look at the rig.\u00a0\u00a0They\u2019d propped up the left rear end so it served as shelter for her small sons.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had brought a bag along, containing books and toys, so he could entertain his brother.\u00a0\u00a0The nine-year-old had lit the lantern they\u2019d brought with them and was reading a story to his baby brother by its light.<\/p>\n

Joseph\u2019s small fingers clung to his brother\u2019s coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0\u00a0Joseph would be too frightened,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAs would Hoss if I left him alone.\u00a0\u00a0I would not have\u00a0mon nounours\u00a0<\/i>believe I had abandoned him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The beautiful woman bit her lip as she realized what she\u2019d said.\u00a0\u00a0Wasn\u2019t that\u00a0exactly\u00a0<\/i>what she was thinking of doing?<\/p>\n

William drew in a breath and let it out with words.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAll right, Mrs. Cartwright, we\u2019ll do it your way.\u00a0\u00a0But you be sure to stay well off the road and keep out of sight best you can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is cold,\u201d she said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe will have to light a fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo it in a pit and bank it with tall stones as best you can.\u00a0\u00a0Oh, and take this.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He lifted\u00a0\u00a0his pistol from its holster, turned it, and offered it to her.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJust in case.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie eyed the huge heavy weapon.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThank you, but I have one of my own.\u201d<\/p>\n

William blinked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou do?\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached into her reticule and pulled out the snub-nosed, ivory-handled Philadelphia derringer she\u2019d brought with her from New Orleans.<\/p>\n

The cowboy snorted.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMa\u2019am, out here we call that a gnat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it is a gnat with teeth,\u201d she countered.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess so.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0William put his weapon back and then turned his face toward the moon.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLooks like it\u2019s about ten o\u2019clock.\u00a0\u00a0I imagine it\u2019ll be midnight or after \u2018fore I can get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will be fine.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0She glanced at her boys.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd please, see if you can find something hot to drink to bring with you when you return.\u00a0\u00a0Mes petits<\/i>\u00a0are sure to be cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

The cowboy tipped his hat.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWill do, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Several long strides took William to the stalwart horse that remained.\u00a0\u00a0He mounted and looked down at her.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGod watch over you, Mrs. Cartwright, and the little ones \u2018til I get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie felt extremely alone as she watched William ride away \u2013 alone and foolish.\u00a0\u00a0Her stubborn pride had gotten them into this.\u00a0\u00a0She should have been content.\u00a0\u00a0She had a wonderful husband and three loving sons; a beautiful home and everything she could want.<\/p>\n

Except time.<\/p>\n

All of her life she had been searching for something.\u00a0\u00a0She had no idea what.\u00a0\u00a0When a young girl, her\u00a0maman<\/i>\u00a0had complained that she was always idling.\u00a0\u00a0She told her it was to make the days longer.\u00a0\u00a0It seemed to her that, no sooner had the sun risen than it set again; that time did not fly but rushed forward like a frenzied river swollen by a torrent.\u00a0\u00a0She felt \u2013 and she had no reason for feeling this way \u2013 that she would never have\u00a0enough<\/i>\u00a0time.\u00a0\u00a0She loved Benjamin Cartwright \u2013 loved him with a passion that was her life\u2019s breath.\u00a0\u00a0She wanted to be with him, to spend each and every day at his side in case that river burst its banks and she was carried away.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s fingers went to the crucifix she wore about her neck.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGod\u2019s will be done,\u201d she breathed.<\/p>\n

A peal of laughter brought the beautiful woman back to her present predicament and turned her toward her sons \u2013 just in time to see Joseph wobble and fall over to one side.\u00a0\u00a0Hoss snorted as, determined, the little boy got back up, stood up straight\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 and then fell to the ground again.<\/p>\n

\u201cMes petits,<\/i>\u00a0what are you doing?\u201d she asked as she walked over to them.<\/p>\n

Hoss couldn\u2019t speak he was giggling so hard.\u00a0\u00a0He pointed to his brother just as the little boy rose to his feet again.\u00a0\u00a0Petit Joseph<\/i>\u00a0caught her eye, thrust out his lower lip and placed his hands at his side, and then deliberately lifted one leg.\u00a0\u00a0This time he lasted ten seconds before he fell.<\/p>\n

She gathered the little boy up into her arms.\u00a0\u00a0There were tears in his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMon petit<\/i>, what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He sniffed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI want to markable, Mama!\u00a0\u00a0I can\u2019t be markable!\u201d<\/p>\n

She glanced at Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMarkable?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss drew in a breath to stem his laughter.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cJoe means \u2018remarkable,\u2019 Ma.\u00a0\u00a0He just cain\u2019t say it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Her tiny son\u2019s head nodded against her.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u00a0are<\/i>\u00a0remarkable, Joseph,\u201d she cooed as she brushed his curls aside and planted a kiss on his furrowed brow.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAll of my boys are.\u201d<\/p>\n

He scowled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo, I\u2019m not!\u00a0\u00a0I gotta be able to stand on one leg to be markable!\u201d<\/p>\n

She was at a loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s on account of this, Ma.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss showed her the book he\u2019d been reading from.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s by Hans Christian Anderson.\u201d<\/p>\n

She remembered now.\u00a0\u00a0Adam had bought the book for his brother a few days before when they were in the settlement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s got a story in it called \u2018The Steadfast Tin Soldier\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe says he wants to be a soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA markable soldier,\u00a0Maman<\/i>.\u00a0\u00a0So I\u2019s gotta be able to stand on one leg and not fall over.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joseph\u2019s nod turned to a shake.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI ain\u2019t markable if I fall down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie knew the story.\u00a0\u00a0It had been written some five years before and published in a collection called \u2018Fairy Tales for Children\u2019<\/i>.\u00a0\u00a0In it, the steadfast tin soldier \u2013 even though he had only one leg \u2013 was able to stand tall.\u00a0\u00a0In the end he proved to be the \u2018remarkable\u2019 one rather than his companions who were whole.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Joe it was just a story, Ma, but he didn\u2019t hear me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The beautiful woman ran a hand through her small son\u2019s glorious curls.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYes, it is a story, Hoss, but it contains a lesson as well.\u00a0\u00a0One does not have to be the bravest, or the tallest, or the most handsome to be\u2026markable.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Her lips curled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOne simply has to be steadfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that mean?\u201d Joseph asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means one must remain firm,\u00a0mon petit.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0That one should not give up when things do not go their way or become…difficult.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Marie drew in a breath. Tears kissed her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay, Ma?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be,\u201d she said, \u201cwhen we get back home to your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean you don\u2019t want to go to New Orleans no more?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo.\u00a0\u00a0Like my little one here, I must learn to be steadfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you stand on one leg without falling over,\u00a0Maman?\u201d<\/i>\u00a0Joseph asked her, wide-eyed.<\/p>\n

Marie considered it.\u00a0\u00a0Then she rose and held out her hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cShall we see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Her son grinned from ear to ear.\u00a0\u00a0A moment later they were standing hand in hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHoss, will you count?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy looked puzzled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOh.\u00a0\u00a0You mean, like \u2018on the count\u2019 of three?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOui.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Hoss rose to his feet.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOkay.\u00a0\u00a0Count of three then.\u00a0\u00a0One\u2026two\u2026three!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

And there, in the middle of the wilderness, in the dark \u2013 with God only knew what sort of dangers surrounding them \u2013 Marie Cartwright and her little soldier both lifted one leg and balanced on the other.\u00a0\u00a0They both wobbled a bit in the beginning, but together they managed to remain upright \u2013 and steadfastly \u2018markable\u2019.<\/p>\n

An hour later, when William arrived with a wagon to take them to the settlement, the cowboy was pleased as punch to head the to the Ponderosa instead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t sleep.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d risen early, dressed, and come downstairs, determined that he was going to follow his even\u00a0more\u00a0<\/i>determined wife into the settlement and bring her and his sons home.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d spent the night considering his oldest boy\u2019s words and had come to the conclusion that Adam was right \u2013 just as Marie was right.\u00a0\u00a0He\u00a0had<\/i>\u00a0been ignoring her.\u00a0\u00a0Or maybe \u2018overlooking\u2019 was a better word.\u00a0\u00a0Life was precarious at best.\u00a0\u00a0If anyone should know that, it was him.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d promised himself after Inger died that \u2013 if he ever loved again \u2013 he would cherish each moment he was given.<\/p>\n

How had he forgotten?<\/p>\n

The clock had struck four as he came down the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0It was about half-past now.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d gone to the kitchen,\u00a0\u00a0inhaled some toast and coffee, and was ready to hit the road.\u00a0\u00a0As he reached for his coat, Ben was surprised to hear a wagon roll into the yard.\u00a0\u00a0He glanced at the clock again to make sure he wasn\u2019t crazy, and then opened the door and stepped outside.\u00a0\u00a0Terror struck him when he recognized William sitting\u00a0alone<\/i>\u00a0on the driver\u2019s seat.\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s heart pounded hard as he approached it, and then skipped a beat when he noticed his wife\u2019s golden head cresting above the side.\u00a0\u00a0Marie stood up and smiled at him and then \u2013 literally \u2013 leapt into his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cMon Amour!\u201d she declared as she covered him with kisses.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, there, Pa!\u201d a cheerful voice declared.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Papa!\u201d came another smaller one.<\/p>\n

Ben was laughing.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat is this all about?\u201d he asked as he swung his wife to the ground.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat happened to your trip to New Orleans?\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie dropped her head and then looked up at him with tears in her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou have your little steadfast soldier to thank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s me, Papa!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben turned to find his smallest boy standing on the edge of the wagon with his arms extended as though he could fly.\u00a0\u00a0Marie gasped as Joseph mimicked her and leapt into the air.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, he caught him as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m markable, Papa!\u201d the little boy declared.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDid you know that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked from Little Joe to Hoss and then to his wife.<\/p>\n

What he\u00a0did<\/i>\u00a0know was that his family must have one \u2018markable\u2019 story to tell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Epilogue – 1861<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben briefly touched his sleeping son\u2019s head and then lifted the toy soldier from his grasp.\u00a0\u00a0Joseph sighed and shifted as he did.\u00a0\u00a0One eye opened and when Little Joe saw him, a sheepish grin lit his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, Pa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The rancher put on a mock stern look.\u00a0\u00a0\u201c\u2019Hi, Pa\u2019, indeed!\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe sat up, scratching his head.\u00a0\u00a0He looked at the window, noting the time of day, and then at his mother\u2019s effects strewn across the floor.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGuess I kind of left a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what exactly, young man, are you doing in my room?\u201d<\/p>\n

His son wrinkled his nose.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell, I kind of got bored.\u00a0\u00a0No, that\u2019s not true.\u00a0\u00a0I was\u2026lonely.\u00a0\u00a0I guess I didn\u2019t figure how big the house was and how empty it would seem with all of you gone.\u00a0\u00a0I tried reading first\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam found your book on the sofa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t keep my mind on it.\u00a0\u00a0I wandered into your office and was looking at mama\u2019s picture.\u00a0\u00a0That made me think of the conversation you and I had the other day about her jewelry casket and what was in it and,\u201d Joe opened his arms wide, encompassing the mess, \u2018the rest is, as they say, history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben remained silent as he looked at the soldier in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry if you\u2019re mad, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

He glanced at the boy.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo. Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m not mad.\u00a0\u00a0All of this belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe grinned.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI found Dam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at the skin-horse.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI thought you might like to have him if you have a son one day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joseph studied him a moment before speaking.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re always thinking about tomorrow, aren\u2019t you, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot always.\u00a0\u00a0Right now I\u2019m thinking about yesterday,\u201d he replied as he turned the tiny soldier over in his hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found the soldiers at the bottom of the casket.\u00a0\u00a0They were under a false bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo\u00a0that\u2019s<\/i>\u00a0where they went.\u00a0\u00a0I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0\u00a0The set was your mother\u2019s gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know there\u2019s one missing?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The rancher paused, remembering.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou were very young,\u201d Ben said at last.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo you recall a trip to town where the rig you, Hoss, and your mother were traveling in got stuck by the side of the road?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe frowned, thinking.\u00a0\u00a0Finally, he shrugged.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rancher chuckled.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYour mother decided she was leaving me.\u00a0\u00a0She took you and Hoss and headed into the settlement with the intention of returning to New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGosh!\u00a0\u00a0Really?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally.\u00a0\u00a0There was an accident along the way.\u00a0\u00a0The horse shied and the rig lost a wheel, leaving the three of you stranded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe\u2019s frown had deepened.\u00a0\u00a0Now he grinned.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHas this got to do with Hans Christian Anderson?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you do remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember I wanted to be a soldier just like the one in the story.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Joe looked at the cardboard box\u00a0\u00a0laying on the floor.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIs that why mama got these for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d not been happy when Marie told him what she was ordering.\u00a0\u00a0He did\u00a0not\u00a0<\/i>want his sons to be soldiers.\u00a0\u00a0His wife had reminded him of the importance of this particular soldier and he\u2019d given in.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe got them because you wanted to be \u2018markable\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brows popped.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHuh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018All the soldiers looked exactly alike except one,\u201d he quoted.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe looked a little different as he had been cast last of all.\u00a0\u00a0The tin was short, so he had only one leg.\u00a0\u00a0But there he stood, as steady on one leg as any of the other soldiers on their two.\u00a0\u00a0But just you see, he’ll be the remarkable one.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

His son laughed. \u201cSo I couldn\u2019t say \u2018remarkable\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben turned the soldier over in his fingers.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou were so taken with the story that you tried to\u00a0be\u00a0<\/i>that soldier.\u00a0\u00a0You were bound and determined to stand on your own \u2013 and on\u00a0one<\/i>\u00a0leg.\u00a0\u00a0You told your mother you had to be \u2018steadfast\u2019 to be \u2018markable\u2019.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He handed the toy back to his son.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYour mother told me that you shamed her.\u00a0\u00a0She realized that running away would solve nothing.\u00a0\u00a0She said that she too needed stand firm and remember that one does not give up when things get tough.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He placed his hand on his son\u2019s head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou saved my marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was turning the soldier over, noting every detail.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSo how\u2019d they end up at the bottom of the casket, and why is one missing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re mother ordered them that last spring.\u00a0\u00a0She meant to give them to you for Christmas.\u00a0\u00a0As they were her gift, I didn\u2019t ask\u00a0where\u00a0<\/i>she put them to hide them from little prying eyes.\u00a0\u00a0It was only after she was gone that I realized they were missing.\u00a0\u00a0They came by post, you see, all twelve of them in their shining glory.\u00a0\u00a0Shortly after that your mother sent one to the tinsmith to have it…well\u2026maimed!\u00a0\u00a0You had to have your steadfast tin soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to that one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stared at his son.\u00a0\u00a0What he saw stabbed his heart.\u00a0\u00a0Sitting there on the floor, with his hair tousled and his eyes so bright, Joseph looked just like his mother.\u00a0\u00a0With a sigh the rancher turned and went to his dresser.\u00a0\u00a0He opened the top side drawer and pulled out the box that held his finer things.\u00a0\u00a0It took a moment to find what he was looking for.\u00a0\u00a0When he located it, he carried it with him back to his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took the little soldier with only one leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt arrived after your mother died.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2026kept it.\u00a0\u00a0It was one of the last thing\u2019s Marie touched.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe has tears in his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMama\u2019s Christmas present.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFourteen years late, but given with every ounce of love she had.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben reached out to touch his son\u2019s head.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMerry Christmas, Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0Your mother would be so proud of her steadfast \u2018markable\u2019 young man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Gift: <\/span><\/b>Toy soldiers<\/span><\/p>\n

Giver: <\/span><\/b>Marie\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Inspired by:\u00a0 Marie, My Love
\nDirector:\u00a0 Lewis Allen
\nWritten by:\u00a0 Anthony Lawrence, Anne Howard Bailey,<\/p>\n

Link to Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar – Day 3 – The Greatest Gift by Annie K Cowgirl<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Remembrance of Christmas Past<\/p>\n

Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a07,950 words<\/p>\n

Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10058,"featured_media":37197,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,1007,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-35014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-joe-cartwright","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1007-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1102,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/The-Remarkable-Tin-Soldier-one--scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C2560&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":61185,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=61185","url_meta":{"origin":35014,"position":0},"title":"The Meaning of Christmas (by PatD in PA)","author":"Pat D in PA","date":"December 24, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An explanation of Christmas, between brothers. 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